Frank h



(No Modl.)

F. EANTHQNY.

`HRI-s BSGABEYLADDBR. y No. 288;756. Patented Nov. 20, 1883.

UNirsn Srarns FRANK H. ANTHONY, or

BROOKLYN,

ASSIGNOR TO W'ILLIAM M. DUCKER,

OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FIRE-ESCAPE LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Leiters Patent No. 288,756, dated November 20, 1883. Application sied April isfisea. (No model.)

I all whom t may concern/.-

Be it known that I, FRANK H. ANTHONY, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire Escapes or Ladders; and I do hereby declare the'following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to that class of fire escapes or ladders which are not required to be permanently adjusted in place, but which may readily be adjusted at any opening, as circumstances require.

The object of my invention is such an adjustable iire esca-pe or ladder, and one that can readily be firmly attached at the place required, that will belight, so as to be easily handled and moved, and that will take up only a small space when not in use, so as to be conveniently stored, and that can be cheaply and easily made, and yet be strong venough to answer Aall practical purposes.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front View of my iire escape in place. Fig. 2 is a side View of the same. Fig. 3 shows the ladder made of three-strand twisted rope. same made of a four-strand twisted rope. Fig. 5 shows the same made of a three-strand braided rope. Fig. 6 shows the saine made of a fourstrand braidedrope. Fig. 7 is a side view of the hooks a. Fig. 8 is a bottom view of vthe same. Fig. 9 is a front view oi' the guard b. Fig. l0 is a top View of the saine. Fig. 11 is a cut section ofthe same.

a c are hooks or grapnels attached to the upper end of the ladder, made with sharp points to catch into the inner side or wall of the house or building at any place where it is desired to Fig. 4 shows the hold the ladder away from the building, or steady it when desired. I make this hook or grapnel with two prongs or claws, as clearly shown at the bottom of the ladder in Fig. l, and also in Fig. 8, because that gives a steady support, and such hooks may also be furnished with the pin or spur c, to be driven into the top of the sill or window-frame to further secure and steady the ladder.

b is aguard or protection for the rope, (shown in detail in Figs. 9, l0, and 11,) which is laid upon the window-ledge, and whichis provided with the recesses or grooves b b', into which the rope is laid, such recesses or grooves being made rounding, as shown in Fig. 11,where they pass over the edge of the window-ledge, so that the rope will not be cut or frayed at this point when a weight is upon the ladder. 0n one side of this guard or protection may be attached springs e e,which can be turned back or aside to lay the rope within the grooves, and then adj usted over the rope, and these aid in keeping the rope in position and prevent it slipping oii the guard. This guard b being loose, can be adjusted to the rope between any ofthe rounds of the ladder, whereby it is adjustable at the desired place on the ladder, no matter how wide or thick the wall of the building is on which the ladder is to be used. The part of therope making the turn over the ledge may be further secured against wear and tear by being covered withleather or similar strengthening material, if desired; but this isnot necessary when the guard is used; or a portion oi' the end ofthe ladder may consist of chains-say a foot or eighteen inches; but that adds to the weight and expense, and I prefer the guard. This guard b is so made as to be adjustable anywhere on the sharp edge of a wall or ledge of a window, and can be used with any rope ladder or iire-escape-such as those described in Letters Patent ofthe United States, Nos. 192, 364, 265,531, or L.71,796--and will protect the saine from being cut by the sharp edge or angle of the Wall or window-ledge.

f is the rope out of which the ladderis made, (shown in the drawings as twisted from three and from four strands, and braided from a like number of strands,`) and either of the forms of .3 esswse ropes shown, or other forms, will answer the purpose very well and make a useful struct ure; but I prefer the braided or twisted rope of four strands as giving the best strength, and the least likelihood of the rounds d slipping when inserted between the strands.

The rounds or rungs d are made of strong wood, preferably of hickory or similar wood which is tough, are rounded, and have slight depressions turned in them near the ends, at the places where they lie between the strands of the rope, and they are thus secured from slipping on or out of the rope by the knobs on their ends and the thickened part between the ropes. By this form of structure the rounds d are held firmly in position in the rope without having to be tied or otherwise fastened or secured there, which makes a ladder thus constructed much lighter than any heretofore known, and saves material and labor as well, -and is a great improvement over rope ladders in which the rounds have been generally fastened by wires or other metal clips or rings, which add greatly to the weight and cost of the ladder, and also injure it by rusting.

In the eye or loop g of the rope that passes over the ring in the hooks a, I splice or secure an ordinary thimble, so called, to strengthen it.

This structure is exceedingly light and strong, can be easily adjusted in anyplace and quickly secured there, so that it may be kept in any convenient place on the iioor of a building,and then carried to any suitable place farthest removed from the iire, and there rmly and rig- 3 5 idly attached by simply pressing the sharp points of the grapnels a a into the wall, adjusting the guard b, and throwing the ladder out of the window. It may be supplied to firemen, who can readily carry it on their backs, 4o as a light and suitable means of descent from roofs or other high places in case of necessity.

It is conveniently handled and stored, takes up but little space, is simply and cheaply made, and is serviceable for all ordinary pur- 45 poses in case of lire or other need.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new isl. The adjustable fire-escape described, consisting'of a rope ladder provided with hooks 5o or grapnels a a, to attach and hold ythe same in position, in combination with the adjustable guard b, to protect the same'in crossing sharp edges, substantially as described and shown.

2. The guard b, havingan angled under por- 55 tion and a rounded upper bearing-surface, substantially as described and shown.

FRANK H. ANTHONY.

Vitnesses:

GRAINGER HYER, AUeUs'rUs T. GURLITZ. 

